According to ancient legends, rosemary drives away evil spirits, attracts abundance and wealth. But today the plant is honored for a huge list of useful properties that are used in the treatment and prevention of diseases. It has found its place in cosmetology and cooking.
The composition and nutritional value of rosemary-
If we talk about nutritional value, then A tablespoon of rosemary contains 1% of the daily human intake of vitamin A. It is necessary for the nutrition of body tissues, skin cleanliness, good color perception of the eyes, and healthy teeth. This is an excellent antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals, as well as vitamin C, also contained in large quantities in rosemary. Rosemary herb and appreciated for these beneficial properties.
Important! There are several varieties of rosemary, which differ in properties and appearance. So, rosemary officinalis is an upright shrub that grows in width and height. It has several varieties, the most famous of which are Tuscan Blue, Erectus, Miss Jessopp's Variety, Fastigiatus.
Rosemary also contains vitamin B6, folic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine. In addition, the plant is rich in minerals such as copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus. Calcium strengthens not only bones and teeth, but also the walls of blood vessels, normalizes hormonal levels. Iron is a key element in the formation of myoglobin and hemoglobin, which transport oxygen to tissues. Manganese is useful for the nervous system, normalizes blood glucose levels, helps the formation of muscle and bone tissue.
What else is useful rosemary, so it contains lipids - 18 essential amino acids, fatty acids, as well as phytosterols. Especially rich in nutrients is the essential oil of the plant, which contains flavonoids, carnosolinic and ursolic acid, alpha-pinene, cyneol, camphor, limonene, and even specific rosmarinic acid, which is considered the most powerful antioxidant. Most of the essential oil is found in the leaves of the plant - up to 2%. It is believed that its maximum concentration is in the three-year leaves.
Only 100 g of rosemary contains:
- 331 kcal;
- 15.22 g fat;
- 4.88 g of proteins;
- 64.06 g of carbohydrates;
- 9.31 g of water;
- 42.6 g dietary fiber;
- 7.37 g of saturated fatty acids;
- vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, C, PP
- minerals: iron (29.25 mg.), phosphorus (70 mg.), sodium (50 mg.), magnesium (220 mg.), calcium (1280 mg.), potassium (955 mg).
Did you know? Medicinal rosemary can reach a height of two meters. On it are leathery, narrow, wrapped around the edges of the sheets, which have a glossy surface on the top and light hairiness on the bottom. It blooms in March and May with small light blue flowers, filled with plenty of nectar. This is a Mediterranean plant, therefore it prefers to grow on dry slopes.
Useful properties of rosemary for the human body
Due to its composition, rosemary herb has certain healing properties, as well as It has a tonic effect on the human nervous and circulatory systems. So, traditional medicine recommends the use of rosemary with long-term antibiotic treatment, general weakness, low blood pressure, gout, rheumatism, and colic, especially in the upper abdomen.
Rosemary wine has an excellent effect, especially on the male reproductive system. To calm the nervous system, it is recommended to take a bath with rosemary, especially before bedtime.
To improve blood circulation use alcohol tincture of the plant, ointments, and the powder is prescribed for sexual weakness, exhaustion and strong nervous tension. Rosemary is used to stimulate the bowels, stomach, in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, thrombophlebitis, for rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.
Important! Recent studies have shown that carnosic acid, which is part of rosemary essential oil, prevents degenerative changes in the brain, retards aging and memory impairment.
In Germany, public health services officially recommend taking rosemary-based medicines to treat biliary, gastrointestinal spasms, flatulence. External use of rosemary as a medicine is recommended for diseases of the joints and muscles. Preparations based on rosemary essential oil have an antiseptic effect, therefore they are used to treat abscesses, infected wounds, eczema, furunculosis and acne.
The use of rosemary in medicine
In medicine, rosemary essential oil is mainly used, which is extracted from the leaves. But the leaves themselves, as well as young shoots are also used for medicinal purposes.
The healing properties of rosemary
Rosemary in medicine is used as an excellent immunostimulant. It has a softening effect on the respiratory tract, fights cough and catarrhal diseases well. It has performed well in treating a huge number of heart diseases, especially pericarditis. The herb increases blood pressure, strengthens the body, has tonic, antidepressant, choleretic, antioxidant properties. Since rosemary is excellent against microorganisms, it is used to treat various infectious diseases, including in the genital area.
Did you know?The plant in ancient times was considered sacred in Egypt, Rome, Greece. It was used for the expulsion of evil spirits, in various ceremonies. It is believed that the Olympic gods valued it on a par with gold and decorated its bright heads with branches. And not just like that. The Greeks and Romans believed that a wreath of rosemary stimulates mental activity. Today, it is considered a symbol of eternity, prosperity and abundance. Therefore, at the wedding ceremonies to young people always give a sprig of rosemary.
How to take rosemary, folk recipes
The plant has long been used in folk medicine. Since ancient times, folk healers have used rosemary, based on its beneficial properties, retaining some recipes to this day. Some of them are presented below.
Rosemary infusion with alcohol
Useful is the alcohol tincture of the plant. For its preparation, take 50 g of leaves, pour 250 g of alcohol (70%) and leave for 10 days. Upon their completion, the contents are squeezed, filtered and used for their intended purpose. You can prepare the tincture by dissolving 3 g of rosemary in a liter of alcohol of the same percentage. The oil is obtained by distilling the leaves of the plant with water vapor, but the finished can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Rosemary infusion on water
You can prepare the infusion and water. For this 2 tsp. crushed leaves pour a glass of boiling water and insist half an hour. After that, the liquid must be filtered and applied throughout the day for 4-6 receptions. The resulting tincture of rosemary has found its use in the treatment of heart disease, to improve the flow of bile, relieve nervous tension. Infusion along with lavender is used in the post-stroke period, improves vision, memory, cerebral circulation.
How to make a decoction of rosemary
For the preparation of broth take 2 tsp. crushed leaves and pour a glass of boiling water, boil for about 15-20 minutes and filter. The resulting decoction of rosemary drink half an hour before meals three times a day for a teaspoon. It is used for stomach cramps, heart pain, neurosis, amenorrhea, as a tonic for impotence.
Important! For use in medicine, leaves and young annual shoots of rosemary are used. Preferably collect them before flowering plants. Drying is necessary immediately at a temperature not higher than 35 ° C. Only under such conditions will the most valuable part of the plant - rosemary oil - remain.
Rosemary tea
Rosemary tea is also prepared. To do this, a teaspoon with the top of crushed leaves pour 250 ml of hot water and infuse for about 15 minutes. And it is recommended to use melt water. It is advisable to drink tea once in the morning and again at lunch. Rosemary tea has beneficial fortifying properties, which is why it is desirable after suffering infectious diseases, with general weakness.
The use of rosemary in cosmetology
Due to the extensive effects and a huge number of useful properties, rosemary is used in cosmetology. It is used in face lotions, because it rejuvenates the skin, corrects its relief by improving blood circulation. He also showed himself perfectly in the fight against obesity, cellulite. But the use of rosemary in cosmetology does not end there.
Rosemary Hair
Rosemary is believed to be able to cope with almost any hair problem. Even the usual decoction of the plant is used instead of air conditioning, not to mention its medicinal properties. So, rinsing with a decoction helps strengthen weakened hair by improving blood circulation in the scalp. It fights well with oily hair, as well as with too dry scalp. With regular use allows you to make hair fluffy and shiny. To speed up hair growth, you can massage the head using a mixture of oils based on rosemary essential oil with the addition of thyme, cedar and lavender oils.
Effect of rosemary on the skin
The positive effect of rosemary on the skin is known. Due to the antiseptic effect, it fights adolescent acne, purulent rashes, leaving no trace behind them. To do this, use a decoction of dry grass leaves of the plant. You can buy rosemary oil at the pharmacy and use it for overnight application on the foci of inflammation on the face. The course of oil therapy helps to get rid of dry skin of the face, to return her youth and silkiness.
It is believed that if you use a mixture of rosemary oil and almond oil (1 tsp. And 8 drops, respectively), you can get rid of stretch marks on the body. To give the skin tone, relieve irritation and fatigue, pain in the joints and muscles, it is recommended to take rosemary baths.
How to use rosemary in cooking
Rosemary is also widely used in cooking. Little by little, its leaves are added to pea soups, to cheese, cabbage, spinach, eggplant, potato, zucchini dishes, as well as to various sauces. The advantage of the plant is that after heat treatment, it practically does not lose its flavor. It shows itself well as an additive to desserts and fruit salads. Italians like to add it to their unleavened pizza cakes, and the French use it when cooking soups, dropping the twigs into the boiling brew and taking them out after 5-6 minutes. If you overdo it, you can spoil the taste of the dish.
Rosemary is badly combined with red vegetables: tomatoes, beetroot and others. It is better not to use it in combination with bay leaf. Apply the plant, in principle, with caution, since it has an intense thick aroma that can kill other, more gentle.
Rosemary: contraindications
In addition to the fact that rosemary leaves have medicinal properties, there are also known contraindications to their use. Categorically it is impossible to apply rosemary to such categories of persons:
- suffering from hypertension;
- having individual intolerance of a plant;
- suffering from allergies;
- epileptics;
- people prone to cramps;
- children under 6 years old;
- pregnant and lactating women.
Keep in mind that the use of rosemary oil inside is very dangerous, since in high concentrations it is poisonous. If you are already using any medications, talk with your doctor before using rosemary. Some of them may have a negative interaction with the plant. In any case, before taking it, you should consult with your doctor and check for the absence of an allergic reaction to the plant.
In general, rosemary is an amazing plant in the spectrum of its action. Its useful properties are used in both traditional and traditional medicine, as well as cosmetology. Not to mention the wonderful aroma and taste, which gives the plant a variety of dishes in their preparation! However, with rosemary you have to be careful. Too fascinated by them, you can harm your body.
